Judith Weingarten, archaeologist and traveller in the Middle East, has published a historical novel around Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra.

As Judith says: "This is the first of three books of historical fiction telling the story of Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, who led her country in rebellion against Rome and almost overturned the Roman Empire. The book brings this beautiful, powerful woman out of obscurity and tells who she was and what she did. It is a huge tale of war, love, sex, high life and politics, religious turmoil, murder and heroism. Forgive this shameless commercialism, but that's what the blurb says...."

I haven't read the book yet but sure will do. Judith has an exquisite web page featuring the book and its historic context at www.zenobia.tv.